Overview
- On Friday, July 3, Fox contributor Emily Compagno called Democratic nominee James Talarico “a demon in human skin” on Outnumbered and the Talarico campaign replied that he is “in fact a human, and not a demon in human skin.”
- A New York Times/Siena poll reported the race as effectively deadlocked, with Paxton and Talarico tied at roughly 47 percent among likely voters, turning the seat into a national battleground.
- Republicans have amplified Talarico’s past remarks about gender and religion, including comments that prompted attacks claiming he said God is non-binary and that there are six genders.
- Democrats counter by focusing on Republican nominee Ken Paxton’s long legal and ethical troubles, citing a 2015 state securities indictment, 2016 federal civil fraud claims, staff bribery accusations, and a 2023 impeachment and acquittal.
- The escalation of personal and cultural attacks is expected to sharpen national messaging, boost outside spending, and make turnout and coalition-building among women, young and Hispanic voters decisive in November.